Hicks busts out of slump in big way

Aaron Hicks broke out of his slump, and Twitter had nothing to do with it.

MLB.com's No. 29 prospect went 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs on Friday, but the Fort Myers Miracle came up short against the Bradenton Marauders, 12-10.

A 2008 first-round Draft pick by the Twins, Hicks fell a triple shy of the cycle. He delivered an RBI single in the first inning, doubled home another run in the second and slugged a two-run blast, his fifth, in the fourth.

Hicks, who also scored three times, struck out in each of his final two-at bats.

The 21-year-old center fielder endured a brutal July, batting .162 with only 16 hits in 26 games. He was hitless in his previous 20 at-bats and just 2-for-48 heading into Friday's game.

On July 31, Hicks asked his 2,784 followers on Twitter for advice on how to bust out of a slump. Some of the suggestions included high socks while another involved a live chicken.

Especially frustrating for Hicks was the fact that his skid came on the heels of his best month. In June, he batted .337 with 13 extra-base hits and 20 walks against 20 strikeouts. Last month, he struck out more than twice as many times as he walked.

Overall, Hicks is batting .247 with 34 extra-base hits, 11 stolen bases and 56 runs scored. He also sports a .350 on-base percentage.

Former third-round pick Angel Morales doubled twice, drove in a run and scored another for the Miracle, while Daniel Rohlfing chipped in two RBIs. Leadoff batter Jonathan Goncalves reached base twice and scored twice.

Adalberto Santos drove in four runs to lead the Marauders and Elevys Gonzalez went 4-for-5 with three RBIs.